World Cup Report

“The day to advance into final 16.”

Whether male or female, aged or young, every Korean yearns for the South Korean ‘Taeguk warriors’ to succeed into the second round, and today, June 14, is the day to decide its fate.

In the Group D of 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup Games, South Korea is scheduled to have a matchup against fifth ranked Portugal in the Inchon World Cup Stadium at 8:30 pm. Since South Korea is leading in the Group D with 1 win and 1 tie, it will be the crucial time for South Korea to see whether the advance into the second round can be truly obtainable.

If South Korea finishes the game with a tie, it can head into the second round, no matter what happens in the US vs Poland game, which is to take place at the same time in Daejon. However, South Korean ‘Taeguk Warriors’ are determined to crush Portugal, which will crown them with the victory in the first round. Rather than depending on luck, South Korea will be able to proudly march into final 16.

Coach Gus Hiddink of South Korea asserts, “We are not going to focus our play on defense. We will definitely win and advance into the second round.”

Meanwhile, on the 13th, the four games for Groups C and G were held, which subsequently determined which teams would advance.

In Oita, Japan, the Mexico vs Italy game for Group G finished with 1-1. Therefore, Mexico recorded 2 wins and 1 loss (points 7), ranking first in the Group G, and Italy finished the first round with 1 win, 1 tie, and 1 loss (points 4), ranking second in the bracket. These two teams will advance into the second round.

In the main World Cup Stadium, Turkey, appearing for the second time in World Cup since 1954, won 3-0 to China and celebrated their advance into the next round. With 1 win, 1 tie, and 1 loss, Turkey stood equal to Costa Rica, who lost 2-5 to Brazil, but excelled in goal points to qualify for the second round.